Upcoming Local Ordinances

The following are the proposed, or what are expected to be proposed, for the locations noted. Current hotspots are highlighted in red.

The following information on Stuart comes from the PDF sent out by Martin County Board of County Commissioners

Within Stuart- no anchoring (300) feet outside of the marked boundary of any properly permitted mooring field.
- anchoring and mooring of vessels is prohibited within three hundred (300) feet of any maritime infrastructure.
- all vessels shall demonstrate compliance with operability and safety requirements.
- all vessels shall demonstrate compliance with marine sanitation requirements.Within Unincorporated Martin County - no anchoring (300) feet outside of the marked boundary of any properly permitted mooring field.
- anchoring and mooring of vessels is prohibited within three hundred (300) feet of any maritime infrastructure.
- all vessels shall demonstrate compliance with operability and safety requirements.
- all vessels shall demonstrate compliance with marine sanitation requirements.
- anchoring and mooring of vessels is prohibited within one thousand (1000) feet of the shoreline in the Indian River Pilot Program Area To send an email registering your thoughts on these proposed ordinances, click here

SARASOTA,
Fla. October 27, 2011 - On November 3, the possibility of anchoring
regulations for recreational boats will be discussed at a meeting
hosted by city officials. Boat Owners Association of The United States
(BoatUS) says that the agenda will center on proposals to limit the
number of days a boat can remain on anchor as well as to determine a
"set back" limit on how many feet an anchored boat must stay from
private or public land. BoatUS is urging boaters, cruisers and sailors,
as well as those who benefit from visiting boater spending, to attend
this public meeting to have their voices heard. The City of
Sarasota is participating as one of five cities in Florida's mooring
and anchoring pilot project, which gives the municipality the ability
to limit anchoring."The challenge
is to come up with a solution that works for all parties," said BoatUS
Executive Vice President Margaret Podlich. "There is no concrete
written proposal to comment on at this time. However, the proposed
$18-$25 daily fee at the Sarasota mooring field for visiting boaters in
combination with limits on the number of nights you can anchor outside
of the mooring field as well the minimum distances from upland
property, mean that it is vitally important for boaters to be at this
meeting. We don't expect another chance for boaters to be heard before
the anchoring plan is drafted by the City."The meeting
will be held Thursday, November 3rd, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., in
the Commission Chambers at 1565 Front Street in Sarasota. For more
information contact Tony Russo, project manager, at 941-465-2200, extension 6367. Written comments may be submitted to Mr. Russo at: anthony.russo@sarasotagov.com.For more background information on anchoring laws in Florida, see the "2011 BoatUS Anchoring Information" sheet at www.BoatUS.com/gov/florida.To get more information from the Florida Wildlife Commission on the pilot mooring program, go to www.myfwc.com/boating/anchoring-mooring.

St. Augustine - (update, October 24, 2011)

The St. Augustine ordinance can be broken down into general
segments and effect.

Definitions

Clarifying language

Set Backs

Applicable to stored or occupied vessels (See definitions of
occupied vessel and stored vessel in ordinance)

Applicable after 10 consecutive days in 30 consecutive days
(occupied vessel can stay for 9 consecutive days move into mooring
field or outside of City boundaries for one day then return for 9
consecutive days. This may be repeated without violating the
ordinance)

Enforcement by St. Johns County Sheriff, City of St. Augustine
Police, and FWC.

Penalties

First offense: $100.00

Second offense: $250.00

Third or subsequent offense: $500.00

Munroe County - the Keys
"designated anchorages" in Boca Chica, Sunset Cove and in Key West
USCGA boat safety examination or similar
Pump out log

St. Petersburg (update, October 20, 2011)

creation of a mooring field in Vinoy Basin. They are proposing 13 moorings in the Vinoy Basin.
No anchoring in Vinoy Basin.
There is talk that anchoring restrictions outside of Vinoy Basin will be enacted.
Local police representatives have told this site the City is looking at a possible 30 day time limit.
Local police rep has asked this website for more input on the 'three day mobility' suggestion
mentioned elsewhere on Suggested Solutions page of this site..

Sarasota
up to a five mile buffer zone around the mooring field
mooring field so large it eliminates any possible anchoring in Sarasota

As of October 12, 2011, there are no proposals put forward yet for Stuart/Martin.

Additionally, other cities are installing mooring fields, including Titusville and several west coast locations. That means that these cities can legislate anchoring within the mooring field proper.
Any and all of these proposals that become law will remain in force in their respective jurisdictions until 2014. At that time, the Florida State Legislature can choose to make them permanent throughout the state of Florida. The danger is that these laws will restrict our ability to anchor in the entire state at that time.

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Welcome aboard...

Boaters and cruisers all along the East Coast are concerned about changes to their right to anchor in Florida. And well they should be...if the proposed changes go through, they'll see their rights to anchor first eroded, then entirely taken away, as communities throughout Florida demand the right to enact restrictive anchoring ordinances.We have been here before, we have fought this fight and won it - now, we have to do it again. This site is intended to keep you informed and up to date on current issues in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Pilot Program, and what you can do to prevent your rights to anchor from being taken away.

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